Pakistan mosque blast: At least 32 killed after attack in Peshawar

At least 32 people have been killed and 150 injured in a bombing at a mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
A section of the building was destroyed and officials say people are buried under the rubble.
Most of those who died were part of the police force, and it is believed they were the target of the attack.
Early reports said a bomber sitting in the front row had blown himself up, but this has not been confirmed and no group has admitted the bombing.
Muhammad Ijaz Khan, Peshawar capital city police officer, told local media that between 300 and 400 police officials were present in the area at the time of the blast.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned it. In a statement, Mr Sharif said those behind the incident "have nothing to do with Islam".
He added: "The entire nation is standing united against the menace of terrorism."
The blast took place during afternoon prayers in the north-western city, around 13:30 (08:30 GMT), near the country's border with Afghanistan.
A video circulating social media and verified by the BBC shows that half of a wall has caved in. The mosque is covered in bricks and debris as people clamber over the rubble to escape.
A rescue operation is continuing inside the mosque and "more bodies are being taken out," Peshawar city Deputy Commissioner Shafiullah Khan said.
"Currently our priority is to save people buried under the debris," Mr Khan added.
Mohammad Asim, a spokesman for the Lady Reading Hospital, said that some of those injured were in a critical condition.
"It's an emergency situation," Mr Asim added.
Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar declared an emergency, and they told the BBC they were still receiving those injured during the explosion - and are calling for blood donations.
Pakistan Taliban are among groups that have carried out attacks in the past. They ended a ceasefire in November, and violence has been on the rise since.
Last March, Peshawar was the target of another bombing, which killed dozens in a Shia mosque.
In the capital, Islamabad Police issued a security high-alert and said security at all entry and exit points to the city had been increased.
Source: BBC
Trending News
Anti-gay bill: Pray for wisdom for our MPs this Ramadan – COMOG urges Muslims
12:10Mahama launches 2024 Campaign Fund Raising Platform
06:45'Venerable' Afari-Gyan 'insists' guarantor system OK; listen to him – NDC to Jean Mensa
12:53Woman's gas cooker sparked Kejetia market fire – Bawumia discloses
12:17E/R: Six perish in accident near Kpong
18:07NADMO cautions public against floods ahead of rainy season
11:40We’ll no longer accept filling of embarkation and disembarkation cards by travellers – GIS
15:46We’ll soon respond to your falsehoods in your True State of the Nations Address – NPP to NDC
12:33N/R: Samira Bawumia launches phase II of 'Safe Delivery Project' in Saboba
12:23I’m disappointed but glad majority of NDC MPs voted against Akufo-Addo nominees – Ato Forson
15:27